Hey guys, my cat is going bad on my N12 base model, and I've seen the magnaflow to be a pretty good choice. However, the price seems to have gone up from around $600 (the price I saw in older threads) to around $1100 which is crazy to me. Basically are there any replacements that are similar in quality and free up air flow in the headers like the magnalfow? P.S If anyone has a spare magnaflow manifold I'd be happy to relieve you of it.

 

Avoid Magnaflow like the plague; I tried one once; I think mine was put together by the guy in training or by the shop idiot. Nothing aligned properly. I've also tried the Eastern version from Rock Auto; I had to take it to a local muffler shop to have them expand the flared fitting where it connects to the exhaust system because the diameter was too small to mate up with the car's exhaust. Now, I'm throwing a P0420 after every 100 miles or so with my STFT and LTFT near zero, all new engine, injectors, plugs, coils, O2 sensors etc. The Easter cat even passes the oxygen storage test, but I' still getting a cat code. I also tried the Walker cat from Rock Auto, and I sent it back ... can't remember why, but it went straight back after opening the box.

Stick to an OEM part, or I suspect you'll be replacing it again soon. Oh yea, make sure you pressure check you cooling system, and check your fuel trims before you change the cat; you don't want to ruin the new one.

How about some pictures of Magnaflow's quality work. This first one is a side-by-side of the OEM and Magnaflow.

 

That looks terrible! Unfortunately, there is a big difference in quality between the Magnaflow OEM parts group and the Magnaflow aftermarket parts group. The OEM parts group seems like it’s run out of some guys shop down the road. Even if the part fits well, the material quality isn’t there. I had a replacement Magnaflow mid pipe on my old Mazda5, and the thing rusted out in 2 years.

 

I definitely would've sent that back once I put it on to check for fitment issues.......that's to much trying mod correction........

 

I did.

 

I'm about to do this job on my R56 N12 - found a couple of good videos, so I'll just take it slow and follow the bouncing ball. Prices for an OEM header/cat running between 750.00 - 1000.00 + from the places I've checked. Has anyone done this job recently that bought an OEM cat for a better price? Thanks.

 

I just replaced my exhaust-catalytic converter with a Magnaflow. Everything aligned properly. The only issue is very little room for the post-cat O2 sensor, but it was already pretty tight with the original one. If I noticed anything wierd happening, I'll post something here.

Btw this is my old converter:

Missplaced primary catalyst substrate in a clogged converter (substrate was at a 90 degree angle)